Interventional Radiology: Understanding the Complex Mechanisms of Complications

Although complications and adverse events are an inevitable, painful, and sometimes unavoidable part of interventional radiology, many can be prevented with training, adequate planning, meticulous technique, and experience. Complications in interventional radiology are often the result of complex mechanisms combined with elements such as poor preparation for a procedure (eg, not knowing your patient well, not having the right plan or supplies), technical errors (eg, inadequate technique, perceptual errors), and communication issues. Learning how to anticipate, prevent, and rapidly correct a complication is critical to avoid a major adverse event for the patient. Complications not only affect patients but also the well-being of the physician. There can be serious physical, emotional, and cognitive detrimental effects. Physicians usually are poorly prepared to deal with the aftermath of a major complication..